11 Players the Kings never should have gambled on

4. Hassan Whiteside

The Kings drafted Whiteside with the 33rd overall pick in 2010 and his first stint with the team did not go as planned. He played just one game as a rookie and 18 in year two, but mostly in mop-up duty. Sacramento moved on, and Whiteside spent two years playing overseas before returning to the NBA with the Heat in 2014.

During his five seasons in Miami, the seven-footer blossomed into a starting center. He averaged 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. The Heat made two playoff appearances, but Whiteside was traded to the Blazers in the 2019 offseason. He led the league in blocks and had arguably his best statistical season in Rip City.

The Kings brought him back in the 2020 offseason. It was on a one-year minimum deal as it became harder to win with Whiteside at the five. Things quickly turned into a disaster. The seven-footer barely played and his effort was inconsistent when he did. He appeared in just 36 games and averaged his fewest minutes since his NBA return in 2014.

Hassan Whiteside had two stints in Sacramento that the Kings would love to forget. He was a failed draft pick and missed free agent signing. There are two lessons to learn as Whiteside continues the team’s struggles with big men, but he was not as bad as the next seven-footer on this list.